Chapter Two

   I have never seen Gerard so tore up. He was leaned over Ava practically soaking her clothes. Ava stared blankly at me. Her eyes did look different, more human. Someone knocked on the door. I put a finger up to her and left to get it.

“Delivery.” They called. I opened the door.

“Huh?”

“Food for 118?”

“Yeah, thanks.” I smiled and took the food Gerard had ordered for Ava. I knew she wouldn’t be able to eat, but he insisted. I placed it on the counter and resumed my place at the end of the bed. Gerard was off of her, but like I had expected, Ava’s shirt was completely soaked. She looked down and laughed quietly. I tried to smile when she looked my way, but she saw right through me that I couldn’t.

“What did you two see?” Ava pushed Gerard away and pulled the covers up to her skinny body. She almost looked scared to hear what we had to say. Gerard took some time before answering, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“I was just walking after they took you. I didn’t know where they went, so I decided to walk. Frank found me and picked me up. We drove around looking for you and heard the yelling from that alley. We lost it, but followed some sort of dog track that headed towards that gas station, but veered away. I went in and left Frank in the car and there you were. You jumped out at me and hugged me, but you said it didn’t hurt. You kept going on about something and then passed out. I called 911 and they saved you.” He smiled sweetly at Ava, but she didn’t return it.

“No, there was blood. I remember it! I could feel it. I’ve never felt real pain before and after they injected me I could feel every physical pain there was.”

“Wait, they injected you? Not the hospital, Ava, who are you talking about?” I asked, cutting her off. She shot her eyes back towards me. I’ve never seen any one respond like that before. She was even kind of less human than she was before.

“Peter, the man that took me,” She looked back at Gerard. “Gerard you remember him don’t you?” she asked quickly as if to verify she wasn’t going crazy and that he was real too. Her eyes flickered between both of his.

“You know I do, but Ava you weren’t bleeding.” He tried once more to convince her, but she shook her head, tears falling and shoved her face in the pillow behind her.

“It was there, I know it was. I could feel it.” She repeated this over and over again before she finally fell asleep. Her chest rose in quick motions like silent sobs. Gerard and I moved to the corner.

“What do you think is wrong with her?” I looked up at Gerard sitting on the bar stool, twiddling his thumbs.

“She isn’t the same.” He whispered, looking toward Ava.

“She could just be in shock.”

“After a week?” he yelled back.

“She just got out of a coma. Look, man, go tell the other guys how she is. Maybe getting out of here will be good for you.” I patted him on the shoulder and watched him walk away. He glanced at her on his way out, but left quickly. When he closed the door I immediately ran to Ava. She turned over when I sat down, like she knew I was going to come.

“You believe me, don’t you?” she leaned on one elbow. Her matted hair lazily fell over her shoulder.

“Ava, I don’t right now.” I shook my head.

“Frank, I know what I’m talking about. I felt everything.” She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again.

“The more you say that the harder it will be to forget it.”

“I know, but it was so real. I feel so horrible.” Inside, I was cheering. I know that isn’t the best thing, but at least now she was feeling somewhat normal.

“He’s pretty tore up.”

“And it’s my entire fault. If I wouldn’t have invited him over it would have been different. Peter would have killed me and my dream would become a reality.” I didn’t know what to say.

“I feel different. My face, in the mirror, my reflection, it doesn’t look like me.” She glanced at the mirror and shook her head. “I can touch Gerard and it doesn’t hurt. That’s different.”

“Then you should enjoy it. Once you’re feeling better we could all go somewhere.”

“I guess, but will he mold to such quick change?” she looked back at me, expecting an answer.

“I don’t know. Maybe you should get cleaned up before he gets back.”

“alright.” She smiled, swung her skinny legs over the edge of the bed and pulled on my shoulder for support while I walked her over to her bag. I helped her pull out a variety of things before we walked to the bathroom. She managed to get the water on and told me she would be fine, so I let her do her business while I took a small nap in the opposite bed.